removing eurolock

[hopelessliar]

My wife broke the key in the lock of a double glazed door - I think it's called a eurolock (?) I've read all about how you remove and replace them, but my problem is I now have no key to turn the cam in order to slide out the barrel. Is it possible to push on the cam from the side in order to slide out the lock (assuming the cacm protrudes on the frame side - all the pictures I've seen suggest it does) or is that far too simplistic?

If it's not possible to do it this way, has anybody got any advice on how I should proceed from here?

Thanks for any help offered.

[Rickthepick]

if the key was broken in the door, the key is effectively in the lock still why not use that to turn the barrel

people panic when the end of the key sheers off but what they dont realise is the business end of the key is still in the lock

alternatively

you will need to pick the lock and turn to 11 o clock then it will push out...

there are other ways but thats something only your locksmith is going to show you

[Solomon]

You don't need to replace the lock, you just need to remove the broken key. However, if you insist on replacing the cylinder then all you need to do is unlock it... and that won't be hard to do as long as you have another key (which I assume you do otherwise you'd be panicking right about now). If the key snapped with the plug at its rest position, then inserting the key in the other side will push it out a little, allowing you to unlock the cylinder from that side. If the key broke off and the plug is turned, you can't do that, but common sense should tell you that since the plug is already turned you can just use the remaining bit of the key (or, um, a screwdriver) to turn that side to turn it the rest of the way to unlock.

Being your first post here and with a name like that, asking how to "replace" that type of lock is a good way to make people suspicious. If you can't simply unlock it or remove the broken key yourself, you need to call a locksmith.

[Squelchtone]

Being your first post here and with a name like that, asking how to "replace" that type of lock is a good way to make people suspicious.

+1

[hopelessliar]

ok, first things first, the name is just a historic thing - there's no need to read anything into it. As to making people suspicious, I would have thought looking to find out ho to pick the lock would do that - replacing somebody elses lock for them would seem to be an odd thing to want to do (?)

Now, moving to the business part of all of this, somebody wrote:

"as long as you have another key (which I assume you do otherwise you'd be panicking right about now). "

Clearly I should have mentioned it, but that is exactly the point, I don't have another key, so yes, I was panicking somewhat. The reason I was asking about replacing the lock is because I was assuming the lock itself was the part that was sticking and had caused the break. Hence, I was thinking, if I can get it out I can replace it with one that's working better and get new keys all at the same time.

Rickthepick's suggestion turned out ot be the most helpful. I pushed the broken key back into the lock (which I had been reluctant to do in case I made things worse) and then was able to turn the lock with a screwdriver suprisingly easily. From there it was easy enough to get the lock out. I then managed to get the broken key out again using a paperclip and took it to a key cutter to see if there was anything he could do with it. Amazingly, he cut me a new key from the broken bits and I've now discovered that the problem isn't the lock at all, it's something else in the door mechanism that is sticking, so replacing the lock won't actually help at all.

Anyhow, I write all this in case it happens to help somebody else in the future and to thank those that offered constructive advice.

[Evan]

ok, first things first, the name is just a historic thing - there's no need to read anything into it. As to making people suspicious, I would have thought looking to find out ho to pick the lock would do that - replacing somebody elses lock for them would seem to be an odd thing to want to do (?)

Now, moving to the business part of all of this, somebody wrote:

"as long as you have another key (which I assume you do otherwise you'd be panicking right about now). "

Clearly I should have mentioned it, but that is exactly the point, I don't have another key, so yes, I was panicking somewhat. The reason I was asking about replacing the lock is because I was assuming the lock itself was the part that was sticking and had caused the break. Hence, I was thinking, if I can get it out I can replace it with one that's working better and get new keys all at the same time.

Rickthepick's suggestion turned out ot be the most helpful. I pushed the broken key back into the lock (which I had been reluctant to do in case I made things worse) and then was able to turn the lock with a screwdriver suprisingly easily. From there it was easy enough to get the lock out. I then managed to get the broken key out again using a paperclip and took it to a key cutter to see if there was anything he could do with it. Amazingly, he cut me a new key from the broken bits and I've now discovered that the problem isn't the lock at all, it's something else in the door mechanism that is sticking, so replacing the lock won't actually help at all.

Anyhow, I write all this in case it happens to help somebody else in the future and to thank those that offered constructive advice.

Lesson One: When a key is binding in a lock, that DOES NOT mean turn it harder or with more force...

Lesson Two: The key will break first when it is used to apply more force than it was intended to operate the lock with before the other parts of the lock because it is the easiest part to replace...

Lesson Three: A door lock has to be installed properly in a door that is hung level and square in the opening in order to be able to function properly...

~~ Evan

[Solomon]

Glad to hear you got the problem solved. We're a suspicious bunch on here, when someone asks in their first post if there is any way to bypass the cam or remove a cylinder without the key we tend to perk up a little. I'm sure you understand... if not, don't sweat it. It's just our way.

[Rickthepick]

youl prob find the hooks and rollers in the door arent falling into the keeps smoothly.,

check the door mechanisms work with the door open and if they do then thats the problem.

my website has some useful upvc door tips to prevent breaking the lock:
[removed business weblink- sorry you cannot do that here]
Usually all the door needs is a good service